Lowell, Oregon

Located off of the 58 Freeway, Salt Creek Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Oregon. The powerful cascade pours into a scenic canyon below, with beautiful surrounding views. You can drive almost right up to the falls, which is either great or anti-climactic, depending on your outlook. Turn...

The beginning of this trail starts at the parking lot of Salt Creek Falls, right off of the 58 freeway. During the winter months, there's a gate blocking the road to the parking lot. You can park at the gate and it's a 0.6 mile walk to the beginning of the Salt Creek Falls trailhead. If you haven...

This is a great and relatively easy overnight trip, even in winter for cross-country skiiers and snowshoers alike, into the crest of the Oregon Cascades. The route offers tremendous views of Diamond Peak, Willamette Pass, and the western Oregon Cascades. While it can be done in a day, take advan...

At 8,743 feet, Diamond Peak is almost as tall as the other iconic volcanoes of the Oregon Cascades, but sees just a fraction of the people. Outside the range of casual Portland day hikes and hard to see from the highway and from other peaks, Diamond Peak and the spectacular wilderness surrounding...

Waldo Lake is at the top of most Oregon paddler’s lists for a late-summertime adventure. Not only is the lake perfectly set up for days of exploration, but the visibility of the water is staggering…and record setting. It’s been measured over 150 feet. It’s important to note that the future sereni...

This is a popular, family friendly spot, complete with two pools, indoor lodging, RV and tent camping, and hiking trails. The pools are kept at 185-195 degrees, with the smaller of the two being reserved for overnighters only. Day visitors are charged an hourly fee.

Background Fuji Mountain has been known by mountain bikers for years, since it sits just off the circuit of popular biking routes around Waldo Lake and makes for a notoriously difficult climb on a bike. Word hasn't spread to the hiking community yet, despite the spectacular views from the summit...

Discover the captivating Santiam Wagon Road to House Rock Trail, a historic 2.6-mile path following one of Oregon's most significant pioneer routes through the spectacular Willamette National Forest. This moderately challenging out-and-back trail connects travelers to the impressive House Rock fo...

Unlike many other springs you'll find, this pool has basically no barriers to entry – it is accessible via a short hike, has no fee, and is available year-round. While the temperature is less than 100 degrees, the scenic surroundings make up for the slightly less than hot water.

Stay cool on a hot summer day with a natural rock water slide, multiple swimming hole areas, and multiple waterfalls. This is perfect for relaxing in the sun! The sign for the parking area is upstream of the falls. There is a store across from the lake if you need any last minute food and drinks...

Gold Lake SnoPark to Bechtel Shelter via Pengra Pass is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Gilchrist, Oregon.

The trip to Midnight Lake is a great way to spend a winter day and explore an otherwise overlooked lake in the central Oregon Cascades. Although the lake does see winter visitors, it is often  empty and very few people bother to hike to the far end of the lake. The route to the lake is through be...

This hike starts at the main parking lot about a mile away from the falls. The falls are accessed via a very easy, well graded trail developed and maintained by the Oregon BLM.The hike through the forest and pine trees make it for a fantastic and fairy tale-like hike. When you arrive at Susan Cre...

Starting at the visitor center, the trail begins west heading into the forest where you’ll only gain around a couple hundred feet of elevation. While you are hiking on this trail you are surrounded by conifer trees, little open areas of sitting water, and look outs that are hidden within the trai...

Diamond View Lake is relatively unknown compared to many of the other lakes in the Oregon Cascades, yet the views it delivers of Diamond Peak are top-notch. While it can also be done as a summer backpack, winter brings out the best aspects of the scenery - low-angle light on Diamond Peak, long n...

This is a viewless hike until you reach Substitute Point. You are then rewarded with an amazing view. From the trailhead (#3511) you will travel 4.3 miles on an unmaintained trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness to the junction of Substitute Point. The trail has lots of fallen trees you must c...